Nalda Marie Lankford, 86, of Solomons, Maryland passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 21, 2020 at her residence.  She was born July 8, 1934, in Pensacola, Florida, a daughter of the late Mildred Marie Moody and James Albert Moody.  Nalda was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, William Gordon “Smokey” Lankford.

Nalda attended high school Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School in Solomons, Maryland.  She held many occupations over the years to include Bank Teller at Maryland National Bank, Personnel Officer at the Naval Ordinance Laboratory, and an Office Assistant at O’Brien Realty – just to highlight a few.  Nalda shared a love of community service with her husband, Gordon, and was a life member of the Solomons Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Ladies Auxiliary. Nalda loved watching football and was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins.  One of her favorite pastimes included shopping and she embodied the term “shop till you drop”.  She was well known for her outdoor decorations, including her two beloved geese, which have outfits for all occasions; over the years she has also won several awards for “Best Decorated House” for her Christmas décor.  Nalda had an appreciation for nature, tending to her many rosebushes and ensuring the local wildlife, such as her Mallards, birds and squirrels, were well fed and taken care of.  She always enjoyed spending time with her friends playing Michigan Rummy and attending weekly luncheons. Nalda was a strong and determined woman who had a heart of gold and was always there when family or friends needed her.  Friends and family could tell her inner thoughts simply by “the look” or a change in facial expression.  Her sass, spunk and incredible sense of humor will be dearly missed.

She will be forever remembered by her daughter, Debra M. Sherow and her fiancé Peter, her son, William G. Lankford, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, and her brother Thomas E. Moody, and his wife Elaine.  She was a loving grandmother to Danielle M. Joy and her husband, Jeffrey, Diana L. Warner and her husband, Dean, Brittany E. Gutierrez and her husband, Jose, W. Brent Lankford, and Kristyl L. Callison and her husband, Curtis.  Nalda was also an adored great-grandmother to Shayne Warner, Andres Gutierrez, Rider Lankford, Chance Lankford, McKenna Joy, Marcelo Gutierrez, Savannah Warner, and J. Hudson Joy.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM at Rausch Funeral Home located at 20 American Lane in Lusby, Maryland.  Internment to follow at Our Lady Star of the Sea Cemetery, located in Solomons, MD.  A post-internment reception will be held at St. Leonard  Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department located at 200 Calvert Beach Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685.